shame – A Preacher’s Ponderings

Pray without shame

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost; 24 July 2022; Proper 12C (RCL); Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85; Colossians 2:6-18; Luke 11:1-13.

The metaphor of the relation between husband and wife for the relationship between God and Israel, while seemingly tender, is problematic. In the honor/shame context of ancient Israel, a wife’s adultery brought shame on her husband’s family, and so he was justified in methods of controlling her sexuality that we would find problematic at the least.

Forgiveness?

Seventh Sunday after Epiphany; 20 February 2022; Epiphany 7C (RCL); Genesis 45:3-11, 15; Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42; 1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50; Luke 6:27-38.

I suspect the designers of the lectionary linked the Genesis reading to the Gospel reading, figuring that Joseph was a good example of forgiving egregious wrongs. However, I find the figure of Joseph rather troubling, and I suspect the editors of the Pentateuch also found him troubling.